5 Fresh, Low-Prep End-of-Year Activities to Boost Student Engagement
As we roll into the final weeks of school, you’ve probably said this at least once:
"I’m tired. The kids are tired. We’re all just trying to make it to summer."
But here’s the good news: the end of the school year doesn’t have to be a slow crawl to the finish line. In fact, it can be the perfect time to experiment, try something new, and bring a little energy back into your classroom—without the pressure of high-stakes testing or assessments looming over your head.
I’m a big believer that the end of the year is an opportunity to explore, experiment, and engage—for both teachers and students. And because expectations tend to be more relaxed, it’s the best time to pilot fresh strategies and shake up your routines.
If you're ready to ditch the packets and spice things up a bit, I’ve got you. Here are five teacher-approved, low-prep classroom activities that you (and your students) are going to love.
Why Try Something New at the End of the Year?
Let’s be real: energy levels are low, attention spans are shorter, and behavior can get a little… spicy.
Trying new activities in May or June is a win-win:
The stakes are low. If it flops? No biggie!
Students are more open to changes in routine
You get to observe what works and what doesn’t before planning for next year
It re-energizes you as a teacher
So whether you're winding down or want to keep things upbeat, these ideas will help you engage your students while making your life just a little easier.
1. Task, Don’t Ask: Simple Shifts to Boost Participation
Let’s start with a classroom management move that’s so easy, you can try it tomorrow.
Instead of asking your students to do something (“Can you write this down?” or “Would someone like to share?”), task them directly.
Examples of “Task, Don’t Ask” Language:
“Write down three things you learned today.”
“Turn to a partner and share one new idea.”
“Circle the most important word on the page and explain why.”
This small shift:
Reduces downtime and confusion
Increases clarity
Encourages more universal participation
It’s subtle, but it’s a game-changer. Try it for a full week and see how student engagement improves without needing any materials or prep!
2. Try an Escape The Room Challenge
If you’ve never done an classroom escape the room, the end of the year is the perfect time to start.
These collaborative, problem-solving adventures challenge students to “break out” of a scenario by solving academic puzzles—and they love them.
Why teachers love classroom escape the rooms:
Students are responsible for their own learning
You become the facilitator, not the lecturer
They're flexible—you can use any content area
Easy steps to get started:
Choose a theme (ex: "Escape the 5th Grade Jungle" or "Survive the Final Fraction Frenzy")
Create 3–5 simple puzzles related to your content
Set a time limit
Let students work in teams to solve each task and “unlock” the next clue
You can DIY your own version or find done-for-you printable escape room activities online.
Want me to send you three of my favorite student-tested escape rooms? Let me know—I’ve got you.
3. Scoot: The Easiest Way to Review Anything
Out of all the ideas on this list, scoot is the easiest to implement—and works like magic for getting students up and moving.
What is Scoot?
Scoot is a whole-class review activity where students rotate around the room to answer questions posted at each station. It's essentially a worksheet in motion.
How to do it:
Print 20–30 task cards or questions (math problems, vocab, reflection prompts, etc.)
Tape them around the classroom
Give each student a recording sheet
Set a timer for 1–2 minutes per station
Have students rotate to the next card when time’s up
This strategy keeps energy high, requires zero tech, and works for any subject. If you need a quick way to review without boring your kids (or yourself), scoot is your best friend.
4. Gamify It: Turn Anything Into a Game
You don’t need fancy tools, apps, or weeks of planning to try gamification in your classroom.
Gamification is simply adding game-like elements—points, levels, rewards—to ordinary tasks. When done right, it transforms everyday activities into exciting challenges.
Simple ways to gamify your lessons:
Classroom leaderboards for answering review questions
Team competitions with points for participation or accuracy
Mystery motivators (draw a reward card after earning 10 stars)
Race to 100 chart: Every time the class completes a task or meets a goal, color in 10 squares on a chart leading to 100
It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Even turning a review into a Jeopardy-style game or “Stump the Teacher” quiz can bring a burst of motivation when you need it most.
Your students will be begging for just one more round.
5. Poster Present: Collaborate, Create, and Share
If you’re looking for an activity that builds teamwork, communication, and presentation skills all in one—poster presenting is the way to go.
Instead of assigning another Google Slide deck or worksheet, have students:
Work in small groups
Choose a topic or answer a key question
Write and illustrate their responses on chart paper or poster board
Present their poster to the class
Topics could include:
What we learned this year in science
Our top 10 memories from 5th grade
Advice for incoming students
How to survive standardized testing
This twist on typical assignments gives students ownership over their learning—and it gives you a breather while they take the lead.
Bonus: Hang the posters up around the room for a meaningful end-of-year display!
Why These Ideas Work (And Why You’ll Love Them)
Let’s recap what makes these five activities so powerful:
✅ Low prep: You don’t need to spend hours planning or printing
✅ Student-led: These put the learning on your students
✅ Highly engaging: Students are doing, not just sitting
✅ Flexible: Use them for any subject or grade level
✅ Fun: Because let’s be honest—you deserve to enjoy the end of the year, too
Finish Strong (Without Burning Out)
The final days of school can feel like a long, chaotic countdown—but they don’t have to be.
With a few new tools in your teacher toolkit, you can make learning fun, keep students engaged, and walk into summer feeling proud and energized—not just exhausted.
So… which one are you going to try? Let me know, I’m always here to help.
You’re almost there. You’ve got this, teacher friend!
